For the Sioux Falls Business Journal

Nearly a decade later, however, women-owned businesses occupy 60 percent of spaces in the retail area at 57th Street and Western Avenue.

“The beauty of The Bridges is that we’ve always viewed this as a partnership,” said Mike Van Buskirk, who oversees the property that opened in 2005. “In designing a lifestyle center, the businesses that came about and fit really make sense.”

The developers wanted to have a mix of retail, services and restaurants. The area’s location was likely to draw women shoppers who lived nearby, but they also hoped to have “destination” customers who would come and stay the day, Van Buskirk said.

The tenant mix attracted 26-year-old Ellyn Suga, who chose a space at The Bridges for her upscale pet food and gift store Shop Dog Boutique. Starting her first business, Suga said she knew exactly where she wanted to be.

Sheryl Nelson’s business Kidtopia is one of the center’s longest tenants. She opened in 2006 and said she enjoys being in a place where women business owners work well together. A Sanford Health women’s clinic and each new business helped the area develop into what it is today, she said.

“We’ve all created our own little niche, and we like what we’ve created,” Nelson said. “It’s drawn more people who are like-minded.”

Danielle Holte, owner of Mode, a clothing franchise that opened a year ago, said she appreciates how Van Buskirk helps with social media promotions and gives retailers opportunities to get together as a community for meetings and special events.

Foot traffic makes a big difference to all the businesses, said Tamera Dettler, owner and buyer for You’ve Been Framed, a jewelry retailer and custom framing shop. Dettler’s business moved from Redfield to western Sioux Falls before she leased her spot at The Bridges five years ago.

People who come to the center want to find unique merchandise and they want to shop local – things that women-owned businesses can excel at doing, she said.

“Customers are always asking about the other businesses when they come in,” Dettler said. “We’ll send them upstairs to get some cupcakes. We really feed off of each other.”

The bakery Oh My Cupcakes, had been thriving downtown but had outgrown its space, according to owner Melissa Johnson. She moved to The Bridges in August 2013 and said it has exceeded her expectations. She said she found an atmosphere where other female entrepreneurs give her advice but don’t see her as a competitor.

“I love that we all share a common demographic, a common client,” Johnson said. “My one piece of advice to any woman is to find yourself a group of like-minded entrepreneurial women. Surround yourself with them, and you will learn.”